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I.—7a

113. Is that not actually what they are; the box containing sixteen or eight tablets according as they are loz. or 2oz. ?—lt is sold by the gross and not by the weight. 114. Are there not others put up twelve to the pound and six to the pound; Bickett's for instance ?—I do not know anything about Bickett's. William Moncrieff sworn and examined. 115. Mr. Menteath.] You have been in the ironmongery trade?— Yes. 116. How long ? —Twenty years. 117. In that capacity you know something about a line called Silver Lake sash-cord ?—Yes. 118. How is it usually put up ? —ln 100 ft. lengths. 119. Hanks, you would call them, in 100 ft. lengths ?—Yes. 120. Is there any standard weights for such hanks according to size ?—There is an average weight for them. 121. What would the average weight be for No. 8? —2Jlb. 122. And for No. 10 ?—We do not keep No. 10 ; I have never handled No. 10. 123. Do you find any great variation between these hanks?— No. 8: they might vary one ounce, or two ounces, but nothing more. 124. As to corrugated iron, how many sheets would there be in a case of 26 gauge 7ft. lengths ? —About forty-one sheets. 125. A similar case of Bft. lengths ?—Thirty-six sheets. 126. A similar case of 9ft. lengths ?—Thirty-two. 127. Have you been engaged in the process of calling back the journal with the order-book?— No. 128. Have you had to check the book sometimes to see if they were correctly posted ? —That is generally done in the office; I have nothing to do with that. 129. You have not worked in the office ?—No. 130. Suppose you saw an entry where thirty-two sheets of Bft. lengths of corrugated iron, was described as .weighing scwt. 2qr. 71b., would you detect anything irregular in that? —It would be rather heavy. 131. What should be the weight of thirty-two sheets of Bft. lengths ? What is the general rule? —About 4cwt. 2qr. 181b. 132. Therefore you would call it excessive if they were described as scwt. 2qr. 71b. ?—Yes, it would be over the weight. 133. And if thirty-two sheets of 9ft. lengths were set down as 6cwt. and 31b., would that strike you ?—Yes. 134. As under or over weight ?—As over weight. 135. Will you tell us what your calculation would be, according to the trade rule for thirtytwo sheets of 9ft. lengths? —scwt. and 161b. 136. Suppose you saw twenty sheets of 7ft. lengths described as 3cwt. and 211b., what would you think of that ?—lt would seem heavy also. 137. How would it work out according to your method of calculation ? —2-Jcwt. 138. What is the usual weight of Nixey's blacklead in the trade ?—Ounce cakes. 139. Then a dozen of these cakes would weigh ? —l2oz. 140. Suppose you saw them entered as 21b. ; you would say that that was very heavy ?— Yes, it would be heavy at that weight. 141. Do you know the weight of engineers' bolts 2in. by ? What would a dozen of such bolts weigh ? —From ljlb. to 21b. 142. If you saw them entered at 71b. would that attract your attention ?—lt would be heavy for a dozen. 143. Mr. Skerrett.] You said the weight of sash-cord is a proximate, not a standard weight ? —It is a proximate weight. 144. With regard to corrugated iron, that is a proximate estimate ?—A fair average weight. 145. Proximate, not standard? —Not standard. V 146. Different brands weigh differently, do they not? —Yes ; very little. 147. Nixey's blacklead is made up in ounce tablets?— Yes. 148. In any other form ?—There are not 2oz. tablets ; at least I have not seen them. 149. Mr. G. Hutchison.] Where are you employed? —By E. W. Mills and Co. 149 a. Do you remember any asbestos tape that was supplied? —That is kept in another store. 151. And shackles ? —That is kept in another store. Mr. Skerrett applied for leave to examine a witness who was passing through Wellington, and who would be put to great inconvenience if detained in Wellington. [Leave given.] Mr. Thomas Barmby sworn and examined. 152. The Chairman.] Your name is Thomas Barmby ?—Yes. 153. You reside at Dunedin ? —Yes. 154. Mr. Skerrett.] Some years ago you were a member of the firm of Wilkie and Co., wholesale stationers, Dunedin? —Yes. 155. You were a partner in that firm, and James Hendry Jenkins was an employe of the firm ? —Yes. 156. Do you see him in the room ? —Yes, I see him here. 157. During what period of time was he in the employment of Wilkie and Co.?—-I think it is about six years ago. 158. How long was he in that employment ? —He was employed in two capacities ; first he did some travelling on commission.